BJU Cultural Geography Chapter 1

geography

The study of the earth and how people relate to the earth and one another

Creation Mandate

The unique calling of God to humankind to exercise dominion over the earth; based on Genesis 1:28

Prime Meridian

the line of 0 degrees longitude that passes through Greenwich, England

Great Circle

the circle created by the time meridian and the 180 meridian which cuts the earth into two equal hemispheres

cartography

the art of *mapmaking*

(Gerhardus) Mercator

*published a map that became the standard of his day*; his system is still used today

topography

detailed land features, including their elevations

thematic map(s)

maps designed to communicate info on particular topics

hemisphere

half of the earth

equator

the line that *divides the earth into the Northern & Southern Hemispheres*

latitude

distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees. Parallels of latitude run east to west

parallel(s)

circles that are parallel to the equator

longitude

imaginary lines that *run north and south* around the earth. They measure the distance east or west of the prime meridian

meridian(s)

imaginary lines that run *north and south* that have numbers of degree

map projection

method used to show the earth's round surface on a flat map

cylindrical projection

based on tracing shadows cast when a paper is wrapped around a wire globe in the shape of a cylinder

interrupted projection

map projection that is interrupted with gaps or cuts

GIS

Geographic Information System technology used to make modern maps

remote sensing

geographic information gathered by aircraft or satellites

distortion(s)

*area, shape, distance, directon*; happens when a globe is transferred onto a flat map

gore(s)

twelve strips that make up a globe

cylindrical (projection)

a projection when a mapmaker rolls a sheet of paper into the shape of a cylinder to make a flat map

Mercator's (Projection)

*first important cylindrical projection*

Goode's (Interrupted Projection)

a projection that cuts and flattens the earth like an orange peel

Robinson's (Projection)

a projection that is *popular for text books*; combines the best elements from other projections

planar/azimuthal (projection)

- a projection that uses a flat plane instead of a cylinder

- most accurate in the center

- useful for compact areas where land is surrounded by water

conic (projection)

- mapmaker places a cone-shaped piece of paper on an image (projection)

- most useful for showing wide regions

legend

usually located in a corner of a map and displays the meaning of the symbols on the map

compass rose

tool on a map showing the orientation of a map

scale

Calibrated line that indicate distance ( 1in = 200 mile )

GPS (global positioning system)

A system that determines the precise position of something on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers. ( created by us department of defense)

relief map

maps that show specific changes in elevation

contour lines

lines that separate colors on a relief map

location, place, interaction, movement, region

What are the 5 themes of geography ?

Location

Either specific ( latitude and longitude) or relative ( east, west, north, south ) to the surrounding environment

Place

Physical characteristics ( mountains, rivers, etc ) and human characteristics ( road, building, etc )

interaction

Both among people and between people and there environment

Movement

Of goods, ideas, people, diseases, etc

Region

Defined by formal boundaries and functions

Christopher Columbus

Tried to sail west for the orient, but instead reached the Americas

Europeans

Who sought riches from the orient

minutes and seconds

Latitude and Longitude are subdivided into ?

Greenwich, England

What city does the prime meridian extends through ?

Prime Meridian and 180 degrees

What is the great circle formed with ?

Cylindrical, planar( azimuthal ), conic

What are three types of projections ?

Direction and shape

What is accurate about the Mercator projection ?

Area and shape

What is accurate about the Goode's projection ?

Distances and N/S directions

What is distorted about the goode's projection ?

Robinson Projection

- Minimizes ( but doesn't eliminate ) all 4 type of distortions

- most common for textbooks

Mental Maps

- a person's perception of the world or a part of it based on available knowledge

Political maps

Indicate state or national boundaries, capitals and major cities

Physical maps

- Show mountains, rivers, lakes elevation, etc

- color used to indicate water different elevations, etc

Topographic maps

Use special lines to indicate shape and elevation of landforms

Road maps

- traveling

- show primarily and secondary transportation routes

Climate map

Provides info. About weather patterns

Economic/resource map

Show natural resource or economic activities of a place

Point symbols

Indicate cities or more specific objects ( buildings, mountains etc )

Line symbols

Represent features such as roads, rivers, railroad, and water / power lines

Area symbols

Indicate bodies of water, swamps/ marshes, glaciers, and other physical features

culture

system of customs and traditions and habits that a group of people uses to make something of their world

multiculturalism

view that all cultures are equally valid and no culture is better than another

Two branches of geography

physical geography and human geography

Five Themes of Geography

Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, Region

contour

lines of separate colors on a relief map to indicate altitude